TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD

WORKFORCE INVESTMENT BOARD

PUBLIC NOTICE

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

FOR INTERNET DEDICATED ACCESS SERVICES

PROGRAM YEAR 2007

Table of Contents

A. Proposal Form

Section I: Introduction

Section II: Background

Section III: Contact Information

Section IV: Purpose

Section V: Selection Process

Section VI: Applicant Information

Section VII: Scope of Work

Section VIII: Budget

Section IX: Assurances

Section X: Proposal Review Form

B. Addenda

i.  Public Notice – Internet Dedicated Access Services

I. Introduction

On behalf of the Town of Hempstead Local Workforce Investment Board (LWIB), the

Town of Hempstead Department of Occupational Resources (DOOR), as the Grant

Subrecipient/Fiscal Agent for the Town of Hempstead/City of Long Beach Workforce

Investment Area under the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 (WIA) and the Temporary

Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Program is soliciting proposals for Internet Dedicated Access Services. Contractual agreements negotiated pursuant to this RFP will commence on March 1, 2008 and end on February 28, 2009, with options for renewal at the discretion of the Town of Hempstead WIB. The contract period may be extended or reduced at the option of the LWIB. Services funded under the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 (WIA) (Public Law 105-220) will be governed by WIA Title I-B, and subject to the Final Rule, published in the Congressional Federal Register/Volume 65, No. 156 on August 11, 2000. Applicants are also encouraged to propose augmenting non-WIA services, which are to be funded through cash and in-kind contributions. Costs incurred in the delivery of all services pursuant to this RFP will be allocated in accordance with the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Circular Number A-87, and all other applicable OMB Circulars.

II. Background

In accordance with WIA, the LWIB has implemented the HempsteadWorks Workforce Investment System. The mission of the system is to:

¨  Ensure that skilled workers are available to employers;

¨  Help jobseekers find work;

¨  Foster economic development.

HempsteadWorks is designed to provide customers with workforce investment services

through a “One-Stop” delivery system. The One-Stop Partners of the system integrate

their resources electronically and also through co-location of staff within career centers

and affiliate sites. Electronic integration is accomplished through a wide area network

(WAN) computer system, and also through the Internet. The official Web site of the

system is: www.hempsteadworks.com. Co-location of staff is accomplished by teams comprised of individuals from a variety of independent organizations. These individuals adhere to common standards and reporting formats contained in the One-Stop Operating System (OSOS) and the HempsteadWorks Quality Assurance Program (HWQAP).

III. Contact Information

Ana-Maria Hurtado, First Deputy Commissioner

Town of Hempstead

Department of Occupational Resources

Hempstead Executive Plaza

50 Clinton Street, Suite 400

Hempstead, New York 11550

(516) 485-5000

IV. Purpose

The purpose of this RFP is to provide customers with universal access to services and to improve the quality of information disseminated throughout the HempsteadWorks Workforce Investment System.

V. Selection Process

The LWIB will review proposals and funding will be made available to applicants whose proposals represent the best overall value to the Local Workforce Investment Area. The Board may award a contract for any and all parts of the proposal and may negotiate contract terms and conditions to meet program requirements consistent with this RFP.

Applicants will be rated on a 100-point rating system, as indicated below:

Applicant Background/Qualifications 20 points

Scope of Work (Services) 40 points

Budget 40 points

Total 100 points

To be eligible to receive an award a proposal must be fully completed, contain all required documentation, and achieve a minimum score of 70 points.

Failure to meet minimum requirements will result in automatic rejection of the application.

VI. Applicant Information (Mandated)

A. Cover Sheet

Please complete the information requested below:

Name of Organization: ______

Address: ______

______

______

Telephone Number: ______

Fax Number: ______

Federal I.D. Number: ______

Contact Person: ______

Title of Contact Person: ______

Name of Official Authorized to Sign Contract:

______

Title of Authorized Official: ______

Signature of Authorized Official: ______

Date of Signature: ______

B. Category of Applicant Organization (Mandated)

Please indicate the category below which best describes your organization by placing an "x" in the appropriate box. Please also provide the required Internal Revenue Service (IRS) identification information:

Item
NUMBER / category / IRS Federal
ID NUmber
1. / Private-For-Profit
2. / Private-Non-Profit
3. / Government Agency

C. Applicant Background and Qualifications (20 Points Total))

1.  Indicate the nature and mission of your business or organization.

2.  Describe whether your organization has the financial resources, or has the ability to obtain them, to perform the proposed services. (5 Points)

3.  Summarize your organization's record of fiscal integrity, business ethics, and fiscal accountability. (5 Points)

4.  Provide evidence that your organization possesses the necessary organization, experience, accounting and operational controls, as well as technical skills to perform the work. (5 Points)

5. Describe the ability of your organization to perform the proposed services

at a reasonable cost, as well as the ability to meet performance goals.

(5 Points)

VII. Scope of Work (Total of 40 Points)

Describe the process by which your organization would provide fully managed, Full T1 dedicated Internet access.

VIII. Budget (40 Points)

Include as Attachment A, a Budget which includes the aggregate price proposed for performance of the services and the terms and conditions of that price.

IX. Assurances (Mandated)

Include, as Attachment B, the following forms, signed by the appropriate official of your

organization:

A.  Certification Regarding Lobbying; Debarment, Suspension, and Other Responsibility Matters; and Drug-Free Workplace;

B.  Equal Employment Opportunity and Non-Discrimination Policy Statement;

C.  Grievance Procedure;

D.  Certificate of Insurance;

E.  Workers’ Compensation Insurance and Disability Benefits.

Town of Hempstead Workforce Investment Board (WIB)/

Department of Occupational Resources (DOOR)

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) And NON-DISCRIMINATION Policy

No person will be discriminated against on the grounds of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, political affiliation, or belief. Furthermore, no person will be excluded from participation in, denied the benefits of, or subject to discrimination under a Workforce Investment Act (WIA) or Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) funded program, on the grounds of their citizenship, participation in WIA or TANF, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or political affiliation or belief.

The WIB and DOOR will not discriminate in the award of contracts on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, political affiliation or belief, or citizenship.

The WIB and DOOR will not discriminate on any prohibited grounds to: registrants, applicants, and eligible applicants/registrants; participants; applicants for employment and employees; unions or professional organizations that hold collective bargaining or professional agreements with the recipients; sub recipients that receive WIA or TANF funds from the recipient; and members of the public including those with impaired vision or hearing.

WIA and TANF financially assisted programs are equal opportunity programs and auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities.

Services and information will be provided in languages other than English when there is a significant number or proportion of the population eligible to be served or likely to be directly affected by a WIA or TANF financially assisted program or activity, that may need services or information in a language other than English.

The Town of Hempstead/City of Long Beach Local Workforce Investment Area (LWIA) Equal Opportunity (EO) Officer will be responsible for transmitting complaints of discrimination to the Director of the Civil Rights Center is listed below:

Name: Sal Scibetta

Address: Town of Hempstead

Department of Occupational Resources

50 Clinton Street, Suite 400

Hempstead, New York 11550

Telephone: (516) 485-5000

DOOR will monitor the EO compliance status of its sub recipients annually. Periodic on site reviews of sub recipients will be conducted to assess their EO compliance posture, the results of which are communicated to the sub recipient in writing.

Received by: ______

Signature

______

Print Name

TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD

DEPARTMENT OF OCCUPATIONAL RESOURCES

COMPLAINT AND GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE SUMMARY

FOR THE

WORKFORCE INVESTMENT ACT

INTRODUCTION

The Department of Occupational Resources, as the Grant Sub recipient/Fiscal Manager for the Town of Hempstead/City of Long Beach Workforce Investment Area maintains a procedure to receive and promptly investigate and resolve complaints and grievances about WIA programs and activities. This local resolution process is for allegations of non-criminal violations of the WIA/TANF statute, regulations, grants, and other agreements. These procedures may be used by WIA/TANF participants, WIA/TANF staff members, sub grantees, contractors, subcontractors, or other interested persons including the general public. Please note that special rules apply for complaints concerning discrimination and criminal activity.

General Procedures for the Local Resolution of

Non-Criminal and Non-Discrimination Complaints

You have the right to file a complaint. The complaint must be in writing, signed by you, and filed within one year of the facts which give rise to the complaint. Prior to a formal hearing, the Department will attempt to resolve the matter both informally and at a conciliation conference. You are entitled to a hearing held within 30 days of complaint being filed. A written decision will be filed within 60 days of the complaint being filed. After a hearing and a decision, you have the right to appeal to the Governor of the State of New York. Appeals to the Governor are to be filed within 10 days of any adverse decision, or in the event the department fails to render a decision, within 10 days of the date when the decision should have been received. The Governor may be contacted as follows: Hon. George Pataki, New York State Workforce Investment Board, A. E. Smith Office Building, Box 7105, Albany, New York, 12225.

Discrimination Complaints

Applicants, participants, and staff alleging discrimination based upon race, national origin, citizenship, sex, age, color, political affiliation, religious belief, or retaliation must file their complaints directly with the United States Department of Labor, Office of Civil Rights, within 180 days of the occurrence of the allegedly discriminatory action. A complaint may be filed by official form, letter, telephone call, or visit to Mr. William J. Harris, Director, Office of Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Labor, 200 Constitution Avenue, N.W. Room N4123, Washington, D.C. 20210. Complaints alleging discrimination on the grounds of handicap will be received and processed on the local level as part of the regular Workforce Investment Board grievance process outlined above as “General Procedures.”

Criminal Complaints

All information and complaints involving fraud, abuse, or other criminal activity shall be reported directly and immediately to the United States Department of Labor, Washington, D.C. 20210. A duplicate notice should also be sent at the same time to the New York State Department of Labor, in care of State Representative, New York State Department of Labor, 303 W. Old Country Road, Hicksville, New York 11801.

Grievance Officer

The Department Grievance Officer may be reached at the Department of Occupational Resources, 50 Clinton Street, Suite 400, Hempstead, New York 11550, (516) 485-5000. The Grievance Officer will provide you with any forms or technical assistance which you may require in order to file or process a grievance or complaint. The Grievance Officer is also responsible for the receipt and resolution of complaints.

If your complaint is not WIA/TANF-related, it will be referred to the appropriate agency or agencies. Your complaint may also involve or entitle you to recourse from other state or federal agencies pursuant to other state and federal laws.

To the maximum extent possible the identity of a complainant will be kept confidential consistent with applicable law and a fair determination of the complaint. The making of a complaint will in no way affect your status or participation in or with the WIA/TANF program.

If you have any questions concerning the Grievance Procedure or wish to file a grievance, please contact the Grievance Officer.

Received by: ______

Date: ______


CERTIFICATION REGARDING LOBBYING, DEBARMENT, SUSPENSION AND OTHER RESPONSIBILITY MATTERS; AND DRUG-FREE WORKPLACE REQUIREMENTS

Applicants should refer to the regulations cited below to determine the certification to which they are required to attest. Applicants should also review the instructions for certification included in the regulations before completing this form. Signature of this form provides for compliance with certification requirements under 34 CFR Part 82, “New Restrictions on Lobbying,” and 34 CFR Part 85, “Government-wide Debarment and Suspension (Non-Procurement) and Government-wide Requirements for Drug-free Workplace (Grants).” The certification shall be treated as a material representation of fact upon which reliance will be placed with the Department of Education determines to award the covered transaction, grant, or cooperative agreement.

1. LOBBYING

As required by Section 1352, Title 31 of the U.S. Code and implemented at 34 CFR Part 82, for persons entering into a grant or cooperative agreement over $100,000, as defined at 34 CFR Part 82, Sections 82.105 and 82.110, the applicant certifies that:

(a) No Federal appropriated funds have been paid or will be paid, by or on behalf of the undersigned, to any person for influencing or attempting to influence an officer or employee of any agency, a Member of Congress, an officer or employee of Congress, or an employee of a Member of Congress in connection with the making of any Federal grant, the entering into of any cooperative agreement, and the extension, continuation, renewal, amendment, or modification of any Federal Grant or cooperative agreement;

(b) If any funds other than federally appropriated funds have been paid or will be paid to any person for influencing or attempting to influence an officer or employee of any agency, a Member of Congress, an officer or employee of Congress, or an employee of a Member of Congress in connection with this federal grant or cooperative agreement, the undersigned shall complete and submit Standard Form LLL, “Disclosure Form to Report Lobbying,” in accordance with its instructions;

(c) The undersigned shall require that the language of this certification be included in the award documents for all sub awards at all tiers (including sub grants, contracts under grants and cooperative agreements, and subcontracts) and that all sub recipients shall certify and disclose accordingly.